Alex Green was handed the keys to the Green Bay Packers backfield last season after Cedric Benson went down with injury and he didn’t do much with the opportunity. So the Packers went out and drafted two backs — Eddie Lacy in the second and Johnathan Franklin in the fourth — presumably, to take his place.
Green ain’t mad. In fact, he says he’s happy the Packers addressed their backfield.
“Last year, I didn’t do anything too good in the running game,” Green said, “so I think it was a great thing for us to get back out there, make a step in the draft and help the team win football games.”
Green rushed for 464 yards in 2012 and averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. In 2011, Green played in just four games before tearing his ACL. He now says he was never fully healthy in 2012 because he rushed to get back on the field.
“No, I wasn’t, I wasn’t (100 percent),” Green said. “I came back, I got close to it, but once I got close, then I had a couple setbacks. I was never really quite where I wanted to be, but I made great strides in the offseason. I’m definitely getting ready for this year.”
The Packers turned to James Starks and later, DuJuan Harris as their primary back in the second half of 2012. At the time, we thought Green’s lack of production is what made him an afterthought in the offense. To an extent it was, but the knee injury probably contributed to that lack of production.
Will Green return to be the explosive guy the Packers drafted out of Hawaii in 2011, this season? He better if he plans on making the team.
He’ll be battling four other guys for playing time and, possibly, a roster spot. You know the Packers will have roster spots reserved for their two draft picks. That will leave Green, Harris and Starks battling for the one or two others that remain.
With Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, James Starks, Alex Green and Dujuan Harris, ironically, we could have the best/most talented stable of running backs in the NFL, overall, going into training camp.
uhh what? get real
Green isn’t that talented and he didn’t “rush back” from the ACL.
Don’t nkow about the “most talented” they have to prove that on the fielded, but the Packers certainly have the most injury prone in Starks, Green and Lacy.
If Green and Starks were viable options, the team wouldn’t have spent three picks to draft Lacy and Franklin. Add in Harris, and one or both of Starks are gone unless there’s a pre-season injury.
Given their track record of injuries at the position, the Packers may likely keep 4 halfbacks. That means Green still has a decent shot to make the roster. He may have to be good at special teams to be active on game day.
You guys also forget that green is the only back to have a run over 30 yards last year. He had 2 40+ yard runs and his last 5 games of the year his yards per carry was actually 4.3 ypc. He also has not had an offseason due to lock out rookie year and knee surgery. I’m not saying he is AP right now but the kid has a lot of talent and is quick, not to mention his hands as a reviving back. The pack wanted Steven Jackson and didn’t get him so they got lacy for cheaper, a lot younger and a lot less wear. And I believe Franklin might be the best out of all of them. Only time will tell but don’t fall asleep on Alex Green.
And Starks is gone. The guy was being shopped on draft day
Lars, not everybody is a genetic freak like A.D., some people actually take a year or more to recover from blowing out their fucking knee. Did he rush back? Debatable. Is it likely he wasn’t 100% yet when he played last year? Probable imo. I’m just curious to see how he looks one more offseason removed from the injury. I wouldn’t bet against him making the team, we all know Ted doesn’t like to give up on high draft picks.
Lacy, Franklin, Harris.
I read earlier that a FA named Peace out of Kan State was the best looking back at the rookie camp. Probably goes to practice squad.
Dave is right on the money about Starks. No reason to think Starks will make this years final roster for the Packers. I suspect Packers try to showcase him in preseason, hope he preforms well, and trade him for a draft pick before he gets hurt again.
i think its lacy, franklin and harris . if all else fails green could put on 20 pounds and become a full back but at this point i think even pease is ahead of him